We visited Emirates at the Dubai Airshow 2023, where they showcased groundbreaking advancements in passenger experience. Passengers using Terminal 3 of Dubai Airport (DXB) are in for a treat with the upcoming introduction of a cutting-edge biometrics and facial recognition system, set to redefine travel convenience. Adel Ahmed Al Redha, the chief operating officer at Emirates airline, shared that by November-December, Emirates will implement a system allowing passengers to seamlessly check-in using their own identity, streamlining the entire boarding process.
Dubai Airports has been diligently working on this project for several years, incorporating state-of-the-art biometric technology to create a comprehensive touchless travel journey for passengers. Currently undergoing trials at Dubai International Airport, the system is slated to be fully operational by November, marking a significant leap forward in passenger experience.
Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), affirmed that a new system will be deployed at Terminal 3 of Dubai Airport, allowing passengers to utilize their biometrics to navigate through all procedures. This "smart passage" initiative aims to replace electronic gates with intelligent gates, ushering in an era of electronic and seamless travel with self check-in.
During the Global Conference for Shaping Future Policies of Ports, industry leaders emphasized the shift towards facial recognition and biometrics as the primary identifiers for passengers, replacing traditional passports. The move is expected to enhance travel efficiency, making the process smoother and faster. However, there was a call for increased data sharing between airports to expedite passenger flow.
Adel Ahmed Al Redha stressed the need for greater integration of passenger information through every touchpoint. He highlighted the potential for facial recognition to serve as the passenger's identity at each interaction point, streamlining exit and entry procedures. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) was underscored as a key enabler for collecting information and enhancing processes.
Miguel Leitmann, co-founder and group CEO at Vision-Box, emphasized that biometrics are becoming the new norm, with faces playing a crucial role in ensuring a smooth flow of travelers. The evolving landscape of technology is seen as a replacement for human factors at ports and airports, creating new job opportunities in roles such as monitoring and analyzing processes.
Looking ahead, the vision is to establish a common database among different countries to facilitate seamless travel for international passengers. Adel Al Redha expressed that technology is the solution to challenges faced by the aviation sector, envisioning a future where reliance on automation reaches 90%, with only 10% human interaction. This shift aligns with Emirates' trajectory, moving from 5-10% of passengers directly making reservations to more than 50%.